Recognizing that AGC of America is a strong supporter of voluntary diesel retrofit efforts and initiatives at both the national and local levels, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has invited AGC to participate in the Southeast Diesel Collaborative's partners meeting, scheduled for June 15-17 in Atlanta. The goal of the meeting is to identify new opportunities to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines (like those used in construction equipment) with a specific focus on innovative technologies, clean diesel and renewable energy sources. AGC's Senior Environmental Advisor Leah Pilconis will present AGC's perspective on how to balance contractor business and economic concerns with air quality goals. Register online at no charge at http://www.southeastdiesel.org and be part of a large gathering of federal, state and local officials; environmental advocacy groups; fleet owners; and other diesel stakeholders.
Construction equipment is being targeted as a major contributor of air pollution. In recent years, AGC has been deeply involved in several "clean diesel" initiatives intended to reduce off-road diesel emissions and simultaneously protect the construction industry from serious disruption. Ms. Pilconis will highlight AGC's efforts to identify appropriate incentives for the retrofit of diesel equipment, to inform fleet owners that they may qualify for government grants to retrofit their equipment, to secure federal funding for diesel retrofit and to enact a federal tax incentive for diesel retrofit. Ms. Pilconis will also explain the significant and legitimate concerns regarding any government actions that would devalue a company's fleet or restrict competition in the marketplace. Click here to see the draft agenda.
"Clean Diesel Collaboratives" have formed throughout the nation to carry out the mission of EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign on a regional basis. The Southeast Diesel Collaborative (SEDC), for example, is a voluntary, public-private partnership linking leaders from federal, state and local government, the private sector and other stakeholders in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. In all cases, collaboratives are making decisions about how best to reduce emissions from engines in construction equipment. AGC Chapter and member participation in EPA regional collaboratives is needed. Please contact the EPA representative (see below) in your area to find out more and to join the collaborative in your region.
For more information, contact Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org or click here.
EPA Clean Diesel Collaborative Contacts
Northeast Diesel Collaborative (US EPA Regions 1 & 2 - CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PR, RI, VI, VT)
http://www.northeastdiesel.org/
- Halida Hatic (Region 1 - 617-918-1680 or hatic.halida@epa.gov )
- Michael Moltzen (Region 2 - 212 637-3710 or moltzen.michael@epa.gov)
- Megan Goold (Region 3 - 215-814-2027 or goold.megan@epa.gov)
- Dale Aspy (Region 4 - 404-562-9041 or aspy.dale@epa.gov)
- Alan Powell (Region 4 - 404-562-9045 or powell.alan@epa.gov)
- Scott Davis (Region 4 - 404-562-9127 or davis.scottr@epa.gov)
- Kelly Sheckler (Region 4 - 404-562-9222 or sheckler.kelly@epa.gov)
- Frank Acevedo (Region 5 - 312-886-6061 or acevedo.francisco@epa.gov)
- Julie Magee (Region 5 - 312-866-6063 or magee.julie@epa.gov)
- Alan Banwart (Regions 6 & 7 - 913-551-7819 or banwart.alan@epa.gov)
- Rebecca Russo (Region 8 - 303-312-6757 or russo.rebecca@epa.gov)
- Wayne Elson (Regions & 10 - 206-533-1463 or elson.wayne@epa.gov)